You’ve likely heard “breast is best.” Breastfeeding provides well-documented immunological, emotional, and nutritional benefits.
One lesser-known advantage is improved dental health.
Traditional caregiving practices that support optimal child development are often forgotten; breastfeeding is one such important practice.
Breastfeeding supports healthy development of the oral cavity and airway. Children with a well-developed, wide dental arch are more often breastfed and may face fewer issues such as snoring and sleep apnea later in life.
With fewer malocclusions (crooked teeth), breastfed children may require less orthodontic treatment. Breastfeeding also helps the lower face and airway develop properly, reducing the likelihood of sleep-related breathing problems.
Many expect breastfeeding to come naturally, but that isn’t always true. Parents and clinicians often hear frustrations like:
“If breastfeeding is natural, why is it so hard?”
“I don’t produce enough milk.”
“Breastfeeding is too hard on my body—I’m giving up.”
To help make breastfeeding less frustrating and more successful, I invited board-certified lactation consultant Farrell Topham, IBCLC, from Breastfeeding SF, to share practical advice. Farrell’s guidance aims to make breastfeeding clearer, more comfortable, and more achievable for many mothers.
Dr. Mark Burhenne
Many mothers want to breastfeed because it feels natural and right. Visuals in OB and midwife offices often portray peaceful, effortless nursing, which can create unrealistic expectations.
Breastfeeding can be a beautiful bonding experience, but it usually does not happen perfectly right away. It’s a learned skill that requires practice, patience, and often support.
Calling breastfeeding “natural” is accurate in a biological sense, but it’s misleading in practice: each mother and baby must learn to fit together. Like learning to ride a bike, early attempts may be awkward. With coaching and repetition, mothers and babies improve rapidly. Preparing prenatally and setting realistic expectations makes the postpartum period calmer and increases the chance of meeting breastfeeding goals.
My 5 Best Tips for Breastfeeding Success:
1. Build a Strong Milk Supply
A common concern is low milk supply. Establishing a solid foundation in the first days after birth is crucial because this is when your body calibrates how much milk to produce.
Frequent breastfeeding signals your body to make more milk. Aim for frequent feeds—at least 10 times in 24 hours, more if possible—to both build supply and help you and your baby learn to latch effectively.
Skin-to-skin contact stimulates newborn feeding instincts like rooting and bobbing. Keeping your baby skin-to-skin encourages practice at the breast, which strengthens supply and accelerates learning.
Gentle breast massage and hand expression can further stimulate milk production. Practicing mild massage and expression helps empty the breast and encourage supply growth.
If you have medical risk factors for low supply—such as diabetes, PCOS, thyroid conditions, a history of low supply, major breast surgery, infertility, or preterm birth—contact an IBCLC before or soon after birth for early support.
2. No, Nipple Pain Is NOT Normal!
A pervasive myth is that breastfeeding must hurt. It should not be painfully sharp. Typical sensation is a gentle tug or massage, not severe pain. Some initial discomfort can occur while mother and baby learn to latch, but pain should improve quickly.
If nipple pain persists beyond the first few days, seek help from an experienced lactation consultant. Persistent pain is a sign that latch or positioning needs correction.
While getting help, protect nipples from cracking or scabbing by keeping them moisturized and covered with soft nursing pads.
3. Equipment Is Helpful
Breastfeeding is low-tech, but a few well-chosen items can make the early days easier. Besides nipple cream and soft nursing pads, consider a firm breastfeeding pillow to support positioning and reduce strain.
A good pillow helps keep baby close and prevents gravity from pulling the baby away from the breast, which can reduce nipple pain and improve latch. Experiment with comfortable positions; laidback breastfeeding is a useful approach for many mothers.
4. Learn to Read Baby’s Output
Many parents worry about milk intake because breasts don’t show ounces. Tracking weight at pediatric visits and monitoring diaper output are simple ways to confirm adequate feeding.
By day six, expect at least six wet diapers and at least three soiled diapers every 24 hours. Regular weight checks at the pediatrician or a local weigh station provide reassurance that baby is growing well.
Keeping a simple tally sheet or using a tracking app can help you monitor feeds and diaper output until you feel confident with your baby’s patterns.
5. Line Up Help in Advance
Breastfeeding and new parenthood are challenging and benefit greatly from emotional and practical support. Before birth, identify friends and family who will encourage you and help with logistics in the postpartum period.
Research local breastfeeding support groups and resources. Attending a group can provide perspective and emotional resilience. Free community support, such as La Leche League groups, can be valuable for many families.
Also identify a reliable IBCLC in your area ahead of time. For acute problems—pain, supply concerns, or weight questions—a one-on-one assessment from an IBCLC is often necessary. Trust your instincts; if something feels off, reach out for help.
Farrell Topham
Learn More:Vitamin K2 and Breastfeeding: What Every Parent Must Know